Preview: Men’s Lacrosse Face Early Durham Test in National Championship Rematch

Just six months after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the BUCS National Championship final, the University of Nottingham Men’s Lacrosse team will have an opportunity to exact revenge when they welcome Durham on Wednesday, in a fixture that could have significant implications for both sides’ seasons.

The two sides last met at BUCS Big Wednesday in March, where Durham emerged victorious in a dramatic 8-7 encounter, denying Mike Armstrong’s men the National Championship title. Despite an impressive campaign in which they went unbeaten in the Premier North, Nottingham were unable to replicate their league success on the biggest stage, falling agonisingly short of completing a remarkable season.

Wednesday’s meeting, however, represents more than an opportunity to avenge that defeat. With both sides entering the new campaign harbouring ambitions of challenging for domestic honours, the result could prove particularly significant in shaping the direction of their respective seasons.

Nottingham have already made an emphatic start to their Premier North title defence, comfortably dispatching Manchester Metropolitan 22-0 in their opening fixture. Although the result provides an early indication that Armstrong’s side have retained much of the quality that characterised last season’s success, Durham will undoubtedly offer a considerably greater test of their credentials.

The visitors, meanwhile, have endured a difficult beginning to the new campaign, suffering a surprising 17-2 defeat to Nottingham Trent in their opening fixture. For a side that lifted the National Championship trophy just six months ago, the manner of that defeat raises questions about their ability to reproduce last season’s performances.

Consequently, Wednesday’s encounter carries considerable significance for both teams. A Nottingham victory would consolidate their strong start to the season, whilst potentially establishing an early advantage over one of their principal rivals. For Durham, however, a second successive defeat would leave them facing an uphill battle in their pursuit of the Premier North title, even at this early stage of the campaign.

Nottingham will also be conscious of the importance of translating their strong performances into results against the division’s leading sides. Despite dominating the Premier North last season, including a convincing 14-2 away victory against Durham, their subsequent defeat in the National Championship final demonstrated how little previous results can count when the stakes are highest.

Indeed, Nottingham’s response to previous disappointment provides encouragement ahead of Wednesday’s fixture. Having lost both the Premier North title and National Championship to local rivals Nottingham Trent in 2024/25, Armstrong’s side responded by defeating Trent in both league encounters the following season, before eliminating them from the National Championship with a commanding 14-1 semi-final victory.

They will be hoping to produce a similarly convincing response against Durham, although the visitors’ recent struggles are unlikely to diminish the challenge they pose. Their success at Big Wednesday demonstrated an ability to perform under pressure, and Nottingham will be wary of allowing their opponents an opportunity to rediscover that form.

While the Premier North title will not be decided in October, the importance of Wednesday’s fixture should not be underestimated. For Nottingham, a victory would provide further evidence that they remain among the leading contenders for both domestic honours, whilst putting the disappointment of March firmly behind them. Defeat, however, would raise familiar questions about their ability to overcome Durham when it matters.

With the season still in its infancy, Wednesday’s result will be far from decisive. Nevertheless, in a league where the margins between the leading sides can prove exceptionally fine, its significance may only become fully apparent in the months ahead.

When? Face off is at 19:00 on Wednesday 21st October

How to Watch? Come down and watch, it’s free!

Featured image courtesy of UoN Sport. No changes were made to this image.